Taradale Rugby and Sports halfback Humphrey Sheild reckoned he took his rugby too seriously last year.
The 2017 New Secondary Schools representative was in Canterbury where he played for the Varsity colts while studying sport and recreation management at Lincoln University. He had a couple of games for the Varsity premiers but injuries prevented him from playing for most of the season.
"It's good to be back home and enjoying my rugby in a supportive environment. I couldn't be more grateful for the environment the likes of Tim Combs and Paul Wise are creating here," Sheild said.
That enjoyment was easy to see as he produced a player-of-the-match performance when Taradale Rugby and Sports pipped WIT Napier Old Boys Marist 26-19 in a fifth round Tui Nash Cup fixture at Tareha Recreation Reserve to take the outright lead in the competition. This saw Sheild, 20, become the fifth weekly winner in the battle to become the McDonald's-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.
His distribution and option taking was top shelf. Sheild also defended well when required.
"I had good ball from the forwards. The backs were awesome on defence and attack and that made my role easier," Sheild said.